By Cathy Jones (2023)
This is in response to a request for information on the Bush family. If you have any further information, photos or corrections, please contact me at cathy.jones@optusnet.com.au
Bush Family
Alfred John Bush (1879-1951), founder of A J Bush Meats, carcase butchers and wholesalers, was born in Kapunda, South Australia. In 1904, he married Eva Louisa Johanson (1882-1954) in Singleton, NSW.
Bush trained as a butcher and served his apprenticeship with Marshall & Sons in Broken Hill, then commenced trading as a butcher in Newcastle[1]. He worked for Harry Lucerne, who was the owner of several large Newcastle butcher shops[2]. In 1909, Bush established A J Bush’s Meats in Newcastle, which expanded to 12 shops by 1921[3].
In 1921 he moved his family to Homebush[4]. The move to Homebush was likely due to Homebush being the major location in Sydney for the meat industry with the cattle and Sheep Stockyards located at Flemington (now Sydney Markets) and the State Abattoirs at Homebush Bay (now Sydney Olympic Park), where Bushs became a major meat operator[5].
A J Bush & Sons established their administrative headquarters at 38 Parramatta Rd Homebush (corner Station Street)[6]. This site was purchased in 1925 by Norman Verne Bush with additional land acquired in 1930 (lots known as A & B)[7]. Following Norman’s death in 1947, ownership transferred to Alfred Jeffrey Bush in May 1949[8]. A J Bush was registered as the property owner in May 1970[9].
Another building was acquired at 45 Parramatta Road Homebush for A J Bush Meats in 1946, when Alfred Vivien Bush purchased a shop on the corner of Powell Street from Helen Cross.[10] In 1952, Bush transferred ownership to his wife, Alice ‘for life until remarriage’. In 1975, ownership transferred to other members of the family (names withheld).
In February 1922, after moving to Sydney, Alfred Bush purchased ‘Seacombe’ 160 Albert Road Strathfield, where he lived with his family until 1925 when it was sold[11]. He moved to 25 Grantham Street Burwood where he lived until his death in 1951[12].
Eva and Alfred Bush had nine children which included:
- Vera Doreen Gustava Bush (1904–1969), married Albert Degotardi (1902-1976) and settled in the Sutherland area.
- Norman Verne Bush (1906–1947) married Ethel Hooker (1902-1977) and lived at 2 Barker Road Strathfield until his death in 1947
- Albert Vivien Bush (1908–2007) married Alice Nash (1911-2005) and lived at ‘Camden Lodge’ 102 Burlington Road Homebush until his death.
- Alfred Jeffrey Bush (1912-1993) married Helena Marshall (1913-2004) in 1937. He owned 2 Barker Road Strathfield from 1949-1955.
- Esme Louise Bush (1914–1954) did not marry and lived at 25 Grantham Street Burwood until her death.
- Eva Bush (1916–2006), married Clive Michael (1915-1976) in 1938 and settled in Lane Cove.
Gwendoline Merle Bush (1918–2005), married Alan Matthews (1918-1889) in 1943 and lived in Lane Cove. - Lancelot Alwyn Bush (1920–2008), married Phyllis Pickering (1912-2011) in 1945 and later lived at ‘Pindari’ 2 Barker Road Strathfield from 1955-1978.
- Pauline Lorraine Bush (1925–2006), married Alexander Smyth (1921-1983) in 1950 and lived at Lane Cove.
According to the Bush’s Meats website, Alfred Bush’s sons formed a partnership after Bush’s retirement in 1940 to manage the family business[13]. Ownership and participation by the family in the business continued to subsequent generations[14].
References
[1] https://ajbush.com.au/our-story/, viewed 26 August 2023.
[2] https://ajbush.com.au/our-story/, viewed 26 August 2023
[3] https://ajbush.com.au/our-story/, viewed 26 August 2023
[4] Bush history, A J Bush Meats
[5] https://ajbush.com.au/our-story/, viewed 26 August 2023, also address at Homebush Abattoirs noted in Sands Directory
[6] Bush history, A J Bush Meats
[7] NSW Land Register, CT v.4382 f.250
[8] NSW Land Register, CT v.4382 f.250
[9] NSW Land Register, CT v.4382 f.250
[10] NSW Land Register, CT v.4434 f.75
[11] Certificate of Title v.2437 f.54
[12] Electoral Rolls 1930, 1943, 1949 and Sands Directory 1930. DEATH OF MR. A. J. BUSH (1951, April 13). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved August 26, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18208265
[13] https://ajbush.com.au/our-story/, viewed 26 August 2023
[14] https://ajbush.com.au/our-story/, viewed 26 August 2023
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Interesting to note that it was Alfred who gained ownership of my grandfather’s home, Camden House (restoration discussed recently)….I knew that the Bush family had purchased it at some point.
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It’s Albert Bush, not Alfred. Too many names that look similar.
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I had the pleasure of going through school with Ivan Bush
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Thanks so much for that fascinating Bush history. As a primary school kid in the 1950s I had to go to our local butchers (cnr Wentworth rd and RussellSt) every week day to buy our meat for tea. I remember so clearly the white AJ Bush trucks with the red writing. I used to stand outside the butchers on the footpath at the back of the truck and watch the carcasses being unloaded into the shop. Later I went to Strathfield girls high and I see the Bush residence was in Albert Road. Same road as the school. Then they moved to Grantham St which was about 5 mins walk from our house in Wentworth road. Fascinating childhood memories.
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